To commemorate the late Lei Feng, a selfless model soldier, a volunteer campaign was launched in Shanghai over the weekend.

Yesterday, more than 1,000 students from 22 college environmental protection organizations participated in a public campaign called "Protect Our Mother River" in downtown People's Park.

Volunteers handed out environmental protection pamphlets to passers-by. Individuals could also exchange 10 used batteries for a bamboo basket or one kilogram of old newspapers for one potted flower.

Meanwhile, similar activities also took place in downtown Luwan and Zhabei districts, with a total of 2,000 flowers and 1,500 baskets given away, according to the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Youth League, the event's organizer.

On Saturday, the committee also teamed up with the Shanghai Justice Bureau to provide free legal consultation along eight major streets.

Student volunteers from East China University of Law and Politics, as well as lawyers, lectured on legal rights to residents and migrant workers.

"Youngsters now are far more enthusiastic about volunteer activities than simply doing the usual good deeds on the annual 'Learn From Lei Feng Day,'" said Hu Qianli with the committee.

Also on Saturday morning, more than 4,000 youngsters flooded into the Shanghai Youth Activity Center to volunteer for the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix, which is scheduled from September 24 to 26. Most of the applicants were local university students.

"We never expected to see so many applicants," said Zhang Xiaoying, an official with the F1 organizing committee.

Organizers planned to recruit about 1,100 volunteers, aged between 18 to 35, with basic English ability. Successful applicants would work as racetrack cleaners, spectator management assistants or as media assistants.

"It will be a great honor for me if I can be a volunteer at such a big international event," said Gao Wei, a college student.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2004)